While the media was zoned in on Lou Lamoriello becoming the new GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs yesterday, a few arbitration hearings quietly took place: the Capitals' Braden Holtby and Alex Chiasson of the Senators. The Capitals and Holtby found common ground this afternoon, agreeing to a 5 year, $30.5 million extension. Meanwhile, Chiasson and the Sens continue to negotiate ahead of the arbitrator's ruling tomorrow. There remains cautious optimism that a deal will get done.

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In other Sens news, it's believed the Ottawa Senators will soon talk to former captain Daniel Alfredsson about a position in the Sens front office.

The Canadiens get their winger in Alex Semin for one year at a bargain-bin $1.1 million. It was rumoured that the Canadiens kicked tires on UFA winger Jiri Tlusty before making the decision.

Jiri Tlusty's camp has also had discussions with the Panthers, Leafs, Hurricanes and Jets in recent weeks. Returning to the Hurricanes - a team with which he had tremendous success - is his stated preference, but we'll see if another team swoops in with a better offer.

The Christian Ehrhoff sweepstakes drag on. The Blue Jackets are still a frontrunner but Ehrhoff's agent has told media that the Hurricanes and several other NHL teams have expressed significant interest.

Some have speculated that Lou Lamoriello may wish to bring over ex-Devils head scout Dave Conte, who from 1993 to this past season was his right hand man. Whether he gets his way on this will be a strong indicator of his level of autonomy, since Leafs front office and scouting departments are already fairly populated by Shanahan hires.

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